I just stopped by HD and see that they do have 3' florescent lights and hoods but they cost much more than the standard 4' "shop light." I also saw the 2' Hydrofarm setup but it looks way too small.

I think my best bet is to stick with the standard 4' light and get a rack that will allow me to hang 3 lights. I love gardening, so what better use of a spare bedroom!

I would love to see any pictures you have a indoor light setups.

Thanks again,
Ginny

Cats always seek the highest places. If you use a free standing shelf unit, do secure it to the wall.
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These are two set-ups I have used(with 4 cats, mind you)...
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I just expand the fencing and raise the light as the plants grow and take up more room.

This was a not-so-successful-didn't-use-fencing method...
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Hope this helps, good luck to you.

WOW!

Thanks for the reminders about cats natural instincts. You are great to post those pictures.

It certainly gives me food for thought.

Ginny

It really depends on the individual cats, too. I've started seeds with as many as 4 cats in the house and they've never caused any trouble.

Now the squirrels, as soon as I put the pots outside, on the other hand...

Excellent photos, noinwi. LOL! I was going to post saying nothing is cat proof, but that wire looks like a spectacular idea. We might be taking a trip in April and I've lost seedlings before when the neighbour forgot about my lights in the basement. If I could rig up something like what you have there with the wire, maybe I could bring them upstairs when we leave. Hmmmm...

Here's my setup in the basement. The shelving unit was $80 at Costco and the lights are standard 4' units with one cool and one warm light in each. Someday I might get to upgrade, but this is working so far. :) Seeds sown in covered, plastic flats and set on top of the lights, like a heat mat. Once they sprout, they go under the lights. Ignore the big pots not directly under the lights. They were my little one's experiments (she wanted to plant tomatoes and carrots inside in January, lol).

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That's a good set-up, Macky77. I wish I had a dedicated space. DH had to build the shelf in the bedroom so I wouldn't have to have the light hanging in the living room(we're in a rental).
To keep cats off of your type of shelving, I would attach chicken wire or fencing on the sides and hang a separate piece on the front with maybe S-hooks so it could easily be removed for working with the plants. I'd also make sure the shelving was secured to the wall.
It's nice your DD wants to grow things! If your toms get too leggy, you could always take cuttings to keep them going until spring.
Ann71, the cats are indeed individual. One ignores the plants, two like to be near the light for heat and one will rattle the chain to wake me up in the morning(at the risk of being squirted with water). He's the same one that knocked everything over on the range...he's just a rascal that knows how to push our buttons. Once the weather is nice enough for them to go outside, they don't really bother with the plants. I keep a container of wheat grass growing for them all winter to chew on too, instead of chewing on my few houseplants.

I loved the cat pictures! Our cats are all deceased at this time and we are too old to get more, but the pictures brought back the joy they were. Ginny I think you are on the right track with the shop lights. For most seeds the amount of light is not important, but once germinated, light is critical to produce good seedlings. I went through fluorescents before deciding the extra expense of the 400 watt Mercury vapor lamps was worth it. For the amount you are doing the shop lights will be fine as long as you plan on moving the lights close enough to prevent leggy seedlings. Al

Al, I keep thinking I'm too old to keep anymore cats too, but they keep showing up needing rescuing, lol. If I wasn't married, I'd be one of those old ladies with a zillion cats that you hear about on the news! We're trying to keep it at four, but another half-feral started crying at the door recently(runs into the woods when I open the door), so I started putting out a little food in the evening next to the door(sigh).
Sorry about going off topic, Ginny. Do post photos of your set-up and let us know how it's working.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. It sounds like a big job to me at this time.

It would be much easier to have the seeds in the garage as I've done before.

Ginny